US oil production surge hits 2012 historical high increaseThe Desert SunU.S. oil production is racing forward at maximum speed. When measured by year-over-year production, America's increased barrel per day growth exceeded all previous years since the inception of domestic oil production in 1859. What's even more remarkable is that, despite all the regulatory road blocks, the U.S. Energy Informational Administration predicts a daily 2013 jump, reaching 900,000 additional barrels, up from 779,000 barrels per day in 2012.

NH bill advances to increase fee for fuel tank cleanup fund with heating oil taxUnion LeaderThe New Hampshire House voted 186-165 to give preliminary approval to a bill that adds a quarter of a penny per gallon of heating oil to a fee used to fund fuel oil tank cleanups and replacements. Supporters of the bill said the increase is needed because fewer and fewer people are using heating oil, instead switching to less costly fuels such as wood, propane and natural gas. But opponents said the fund continues to run a surplus so there is no need to increase the fee.

Ultra-Low Heating Oil: Maximizing operational performanceBy Mark J. StellmachThe purpose of this brief review is to provide direction so as to ensure peak operations of Ultra-Low Heating Oil. Ultra-low fuels are here and will quickly become the norm throughout our heating industry. While the good news of cleaner combustion and reduced heat exchanger fouling is real, so are the operational challenges.

Carlin Upgrades Primary ControlsFollowing the launch of the Universal Replacement ProMaxx 70200 Primary in 2012, Carlin is pleased to introduce the Series E line of primaries. With an improved look, retrofit terminals, LED lights, pump prime and better protection against water, these revised models are direct replacements for Carlin’s 40230, 48245, 50200, and 60200.

UPDATES FROM OESP

A warm welcome to new membersOESPWe would like to welcome some members into the association. Three Petro employees took advantage of our trial membership (and yes, you can still encourage industry people to do that). The Rhode Island Chapter welcomes Dave O'Driscoll, Dave Cabral and John Hurst.

Doug McCay, of Superior Tank and Energy Co., in Bristol, Pa., joined the Bucks Mont Chapter and David Bloxham, of Hart & Lliff, in Newton N.J., joined the Garden State Chapter.

On behalf of OESP, welcome!

Share this article:

Classic Hydronics — presented by Dan HolohanOESPOESP is working with the Lehigh Valley Chapter to deliver Dan Holohan’s all technical seminar, "Classic Hydronics," at 5 p.m., April 16, at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, 4500 Education Park Dr., in Schnecksville, Pa. (easy access from Route 78).

The evening will begin with a buffet dinner. The seminar will be at 5:30 p.m. and will cover: the critical importance of pressure differential; one-pipe loops; pumping; gravity hot water heating; radiation; one pipe primary-secondary systems; classic radiant; two-pipe primary-secondary; two temperature systems; two-pipe direct and reverse return; multiple boiler systems; diverter tees and air problems and their solutions.

The cost to attend is $129. You can register on our home page or by calling 888-552-0900.

Registration will open this weekOESPConvention registration will open this week. You will be able to register all of your people and secure their badges online. You will also be able to select classes.

If you haven't yet explored our annual event, visit our website and check out the happenings. There is something for everyone — including the family! Hershey, Pa., is a great place to visit, learn and play.

Share this article:

And the first one is liveOESPThe first of several chapter websites is now live. The Washington-Metro Chapter has taken advantage of an opportunity to have a new site built. National is co-oping a percentage of the cost to have chapter sites built so that members have a presence on the Web and a means of communicating information at the local level. Take a moment and visit www.masma.org.

NATE publishes 2013 edition of annual magazineContracting MagazineNorth American Technician Excellence released the 2013 edition of NATE Magazine, in conjunction with Penton Media at the 2013 AHR Expo in Dallas. The free publication is also available on the NATE website. This year's edition features articles on the importance of recertification, the benefits of continuing education, updates on NATE's efforts to revise examinations and upcoming plans to offer the Core exam, Air Conditioning Service, Heat Pump Service and Gas Furnace Service specialty examinations in Spanish.

Are banks losing interest in small business?Small Business TrendsIf you think that banks are less interested in lending to small business than they used to be, you're right. In 2012, only 29 percent of all non-farm, non-residential, loans were less than $1 million, a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation proxy for small business lending. Data from the FDIC, which keeps records of bank loans to small businesses, shows that small loans (less than $1 million) to business have been a decreasing fraction of all bank loans for the past decade and a half.

Maryland offshore wind plan likely to pass, but will it be built?The Washington PostAfter years of trying, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is poised to win approval from state lawmakers for a field of towering windmills in the Atlantic Ocean. But the tortured process of garnering support has left O'Malley with a project so small — one able to generate just half the energy of a single power plant — that developers and banks probably won't take the financial risk, experts predict.

Drilling down into the geothermal heat pump industryContracting BusinessGeothermal heat pump technology taps into the Earth's energy and uses it to provide reliable, incredibly efficient heating and cooling in both residential and commercial buildings. Geothermal heating and cooling is a win-win-win. It's a win for HVAC contractors because it allows you to provide your customers with state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly technology. It's a win for their customers because it reduces their utility costs. And it's a win for the environment.

5 overlooked tax breaks for small businessesMarketWatchThe recent fiscal-cliff legislation included lots of tax provisions. Media attention has focused heavily on changes that affect individuals. But the new law also provides some valuable tax-saving breaks for businesses. Here's the most important stuff to know for your outfit's 2013 tax year.

Selling HVAC services to Generation X: Give the factsContracting BusinessWhen selling HVAC maintenance, service and repairs, it is vital for contractors to understand their customer demographic. Gen Xers are the next largest group of homeowners after Boomers and should be part of your market strategy. But how do you market and sell to consumers who fall into the Gen X category?

Pellet stoves heating up as oil prices riseUnion LeaderThe spike in home heating fuel prices, the bitterly cold weather and a tax credit that went into effect at the start of the year are all incentives pushing many in New Hampshire to turn to wood pellets to heat their homes. Chris Smith, manager of Abundant Life Stoves in Chichester, said that wood pellet stoves are extremely popular because they're easy to operate, produce a steady heat and, unlike traditional wood stoves, only need to be filled once a day.

Biomass boiler cuts heating bill for hospitalThe Associated Press via WCSH-TVA northern Maine hospital has a new biomass boiler that will offset the need for 100,000 gallons of heating oil per year. The new boiler, utilizing local trees and other dead vegetation, will help the hospital to lower heating bills, improve energy efficiency and reduce dependence on foreign oil. It replaces three outdated boilers and is expected to save the hospital $200,000 annually in operating costs.